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Christians around the world celebrate Orthodox Christmas and the Epiphany

Thousands of young men leapt into icy rivers and lakes across eastern Europe on Sunday to retrieve crucifixes to celebrate the Epiphany. It is believed that the person who retrieves it will be freed from evil spirits. Some Orthodox Christian churches, including those in Russia, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon, follow a different calendar, and today, January 7, is Christmas. In this gallery, we look at Christmas and Epiphany celebrations around the world. Bulgarian men dive into a frozen lake in Sofia to catch a wooden cross, as part of Epiphany Day celebrations